Whatever your children’s ages, taking them on a family vacation requires more than the usual amount of planning. Not only are there more bodies to coordinate and account for, but also more expenses unless you make plans to simplify and save.Read More >

Between shopping, cooking, shopping, wrapping, shopping, planning, shopping, shopping, and more shopping, how does one find time for “family fun” during the holidays, as busy as they are? The most important part of holidays is being with family. The gathering, laughing, hugs, kisses and enjoying traditions, are the most important facets of the season.

Here are a few ways to find time for fun with your family–making memories, and perhaps all new traditions–during this holiday season:

Schedule

Mark your calendar for family fun, before the time slips away, like you know it will. You may want to research the exact dates for the Nutcracker that you’ve always missed, or the tree lighting downtown. Put it in your planner and announce that you are doing it this year…yay!! It’s so easy to lose track of the days when the clock is running.

Prioritize

You cannot do everything, you know that. Time, money and energy must be kept into account. Think about making it a “family Christmas date.” Some people give activities instead of gifts. Ask your children what they might want to “do,” instead of “get.” This could be one way of making memories that don’t need all that wrapping paper.

Vote

Find out what each family member would love to do. There are so many special activities at this time of year to choose from. You might want to do something new for a change….like the Singing Christmas Tree, your town’s Christmas parade, driving together to see the holiday light displays, or attending a play.

Give

Family fun doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money or doing fancy activities. Consider teaching your children about the hungry by serving at the Soup Kitchen. Give a holiday smile to the poor by donating items in person. Cheer up an elderly person, maybe one in your own family, by singing carols and visiting anytime during December.

The holidays can be more meaningful and memorable by making time for family fun. Whenever family is together, it can be fun. Make things light, not serious, and joke around and tease. This will make family fun during the holidays something your loved ones will cherish, and want to repeat again next year.

Are yous stressed about Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays? The holiday’s are a hard time for anyone trying to stick to a healthy diet. But we want to help you! Here are seven tips to help you enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without gaining weight:

1. Make sure you are getting enough sleep the week before Thanksgiving. You will eat more when you are tired!

2. Drink tons of water during the day.

3. Eat some healthy snacks during the day before the main meal so that you aren’t ridiculously hungry when you sit down to eat.

4. Decide ahead of time what you will eat. Don’t waste calories by sampling everything.

6. Limit the alcohol. That just adds calories and lowers your inhibitions about eating.

7. Plan ahead with different responses to the push to get you to eat more. Do not say you are watching your weight. Get more creative and you will have a better chance of people leaving you alone about what you are or are not eating. (Examples: “I don’t want to eat sugar anymore. It is zapping my B vitamins.” “My doctor told me I don’t have a tolerance for _________.”)